Texan anglers, clear your schedule this weekend: Saturday, June 3 is Free Fishing Day in the state, where Texas Parks and Wildlife waives all requirements of a license for recreational fishing.
The hallmark day occurs the first Saturday of June every year and is intended to help bring more people out to try fishing for the first time, TPWD explains.
If you already have your license for the year, this is a great chance to bring along a friend, family member, or neighbor who's been expressing interest in getting out on the water.
Keep in mind this only applies to public bodies of water, so federal waters in the Gulf or fishing on privately-owned properties are not included in the free-for-all. However, it does include fishing in state parks, which is free year-round in Texas.
Here's where to go on Free Fishing Day:
Northeast Texas
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Lake Fork: Situated in northeast Texas, Lake Fork is famous for its world-class bass fishing. Anglers flock to this reservoir to catch trophy-sized largemouth bass, with the lake consistently producing double-digit fish. There's a ton of submerged timber, which provides excellent cover for bass, making it an ideal habitat for these prized catches.
Lake Texoma: Straddling the Texas-Oklahoma border, Lake Texoma is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States and a haven for fishing enthusiasts. The lake is known for its abundance of striped bass, with anglers regularly catching trophy-sized fish. Additionally, you can target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and catfish, making it a versatile fishing destination.
Lake Tawakoni: Just outside Dallas-Fort Worth, Lake Tawakoni is a convenient fishing getaway and its vast expanse and diverse underwater structure make it ideal for various types of fishing. Anglers can pursue largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie, and hybrid striped bass.
Caddo Lake: Located on the border of Texas and Louisiana, Caddo Lake is a sprawling cypress swamp and wetland with a diverse ecosystem. Here, you can score exceptional freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities, targeting largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and sunfish in the lake's shallow backwaters and open water areas. Just make sure you don't cross the Louisiana border, which runs right through the late, without a proper fishing license.
Southwest Texas
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Lake Amistad: Straddling the Texas-Mexico border, Lake Amistad boasts stunning scenery and excellent fishing. This reservoir is renowned for its pristine waters and abundance of largemouth bass. Anglers can also target smallmouth bass, catfish, and white bass. The rocky structure and submerged vegetation create the perfect environment for fish to thrive.
Falcon Lake: Situated on the Rio Grande near Zapata, Falcon Lake is renowned for its excellent bass fishing. The lake's fertile waters and abundant cover, including submerged vegetation and timber, provide ideal conditions for largemouth bass to thrive. Falcon Lake consistently produces trophy-sized bass, attracting anglers from across the country. Besides bass, anglers can also catch catfish, crappie, and various sunfish species.
Lake Corpus Christi: Located west of Corpus Christi, Lake Corpus Christi is a picturesque freshwater reservoir that offers diverse fishing opportunities. Anglers frequent this lake for its healthy populations of largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie. The lake's submerged structure, including brush piles and standing timber, provides excellent cover for fish. Lake Corpus Christi also offers bank fishing access, making it an accessible destination for anglers of all levels of experience.
Southeast Texas
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Lake Livingston: Situated in East Texas, Lake Livingston is a popular freshwater fishing spot. The lake's extensive shoreline and numerous coves provide ample opportunities for anglers to catch largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. Its proximity to Houston makes it easily accessible for a day of fishing or a weekend getaway.
Lake Conroe: Situated just outside of Houston, Lake Conroe is a popular spot for bass fishing. The lake's structure, including submerged brush piles and boat docks, provides excellent cover for largemouth bass. Anglers can also target catfish, crappie, and white bass in this picturesque reservoir.
Toledo Bend Reservoir: Straddling the Texas-Louisiana border, Toledo Bend Reservoir is one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the United States—and a fishing paradise. This sprawling lake is known for its exceptional bass fishing, with the reservoir consistently producing trophy-sized largemouth bass. Anglers can also target catfish, crappie, and white bass. Toledo Bend's scenic beauty, diverse structure, and abundant fish populations make it a favorite destination for both recreational and professional anglers.
READ MORE: Galveston Fishing Spots: The 6 Best Places
South Central Texas
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Choke Canyon Reservoir: Located south of San Antonio, Choke Canyon Reservoir is known for its exceptional bass fishing. Anglers can find largemouth bass, as well as white bass and catfish, in this scenic reservoir. The lake's diverse habitat, including flooded timber and rocky shorelines, make it an attractive destination for both recreational and tournament anglers.
Canyon Lake: Situated on the Guadalupe River near New Braunfels, Canyon Lake is a popular fishing destination in South Central Texas. This reservoir offers excellent fishing opportunities, particularly for striped bass and white bass. Anglers can also target largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish. Canyon Lake's clear waters, rocky shorelines, and abundant underwater structure make it an ideal habitat for fish. The lake's proximity to San Antonio and Austin makes it easily accessible for a day of fishing or a weekend getaway.
Lake Travis: Located near Austin, Lake Travis is a scenic reservoir that provides diverse fishing opportunities. The lake is known for its healthy populations of striped bass, largemouth bass, and white bass. Anglers can also catch catfish and sunfish. Lake Travis offers a mix of deep and shallow areas, rocky structure, and submerged vegetation, creating favorable conditions for fish.
READ MORE: The Ultimate Texas Fishing Bucket List
